Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 818/17

CHIEF MINISTER LAUNCHES MISSION FOOTBALL

Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma launched Meghalaya Mission Football in a grand ceremony at JN Sports Complex, Shillong on Saturday. Speaking during the occasion, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma while congratulating the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs for having completed the formatting of Mission Football that is dedicated to the people of Meghalaya said that the launch substantiates the realization that the government has about the potentialities of the state in football. He also thanked the members of Meghalaya Football Club and different football associations for having supported the government to format the Mission Document. The Chief Minister also said that through this mission the future can be foreseen when Meghalaya will be connected with the rest of the world because of our love and passion for the game. He said that the game of football brings everyone together and the government is focused on creating a dedicated environment to enable our potential footballers to get the right kind of nurturing and hand holding to ensure that Meghalaya ultimately becomes the power house of football. “Let Meghalaya be known that as a state it is capable of providing the players to our great nation with a nation of over 1.2 billion population to participate in the World Cup in the years to come”, said the Chief Minister.

Dr Sangma also said that it is shared dream of the people of Meghalaya and the government to position Meghalaya not only as passionate for football but also for the strength for it. He also informed that under this mission the government will ensure that potentials in football is captured right from the grassroots level and also infrastructure not only in the state and district level but also at the grassroots level is provided in the right earnest. The Chief Minister appealed to all football lovers to come together and take advantage of Mission Football. He also stated that the occasion is also befitting to remember the star footballers that state has produced over the years for the nation and with this humble beginning Meghalaya will produce stars at international level.

Vice Chairman, All India Football Federation and Chairman, Development Committee, Larsing Ming Sawian, said that Meghalaya has made small steady strides in developing football in the country. He said that there have been great developments in sports infrastructures in the state and Meghalaya with the completion of the sixth artificial turf ground will have the maximum number of artificial turfs in the country. He assured that different football clubs and associations will work hand in hand with the government and said the launch is a dawn of new era for the development of football in Meghalaya. The Mission Football is an initiative to help develop skills of football enthusiasts and develop young footballers for the country. It is a dedicated programme for the talent identification and nurturing of talents to develop national and international players. The Mission Football will also sustain the growing influence and participation of Meghalaya in the national football eco system. The programme is also aimed at honing the skills of young footballers in the state who see football as a viable career option. It aims at detecting talent at the grassroots level and providing support for grooming and nurturing promising children and youngsters as professional footballers. The programme will not only develop talent in the state but also develop sporting infrastructure and facilities in the state that will be made available for the citizens to utilize. The initiative will also focus on the development of coaches and referees in the state. The mission is aimed at revolutionizing the football passion of Meghalaya. The event infused by spectacular performances and drill display was followed by a friendly match between North East XI and Rest of India XI. Among others who were present for the launch were Minister, PHE etc P Tynsong, Minister, School Education & Literacy etc Deborah C Marak, Minister, Urban Affairs etc R V Lyngdoh, Parliamentary Secretary Agriculture, Brigady Marak, Parliamentary Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Sengnam Marak, MLA Mawkyrwat, Rowell Lyngdoh, MLA, Pynthorumkhrah, A L Hek, MLA Mawryngkhneng, David Nongrum, Chief Secretary, Y Tshering and Additional Chief Secretary, P W Ingty.

Press Release No. 819/17

YARNS AND LOOMS DISTRIBUTED AT DALU

Minister for Sericulture and Weaving Clement Marak and Parliamentary Secretary Kenethson R Sangma jointly distributed yarns and looms to the weavers of Dalu areas at a function organised by the department of Sericulture and Weaving at Dalu, Salbari L P School, West Garo Hills on 22nd July, 2017. It may be mentioned that the scheme for distribution of yarns and looms under Income Generation Programme for Weavers was sanctioned in 2016 in order to revive the age-old tradition of weaving by women-folk in the State. During the programme, yarns and handloom sets were distributed to 12 Self Help Group members of the area. While addressing the gathering Clement Marak said that the government is committed to promote weaving sector in the state and create viable opportunities to women weavers through technology and skill upgradation. He further urged upon the weavers to keep alive the age-old tradition of weaving and pass it to the next generations. Moreover, he called for improvement in the quality of their products with latest designs and technology. Parliamentary Secretary, Kenethson R Sangma expressed hope that through this Income Generation Programme the weavers of the area while preserving the tradition can also have better livelihood opportunities and improve their standard of living. He called upon the weavers to form groups and register themselves to avail this handloom sets so that they can start their own small production units.